Tony Shimkin

Award Winning Producer

Tony Shimkin on SoundBetter

Founder of Noble Music, Tony Shimkin has extensive experience in composing and producing music for high profile artists, discovering and developing new talent and working with music for picture. Working as a music editor, engineer, producer and composer Tony has worked with a diverse list of artists including Madonna, Paul McCartney, Prince...

For two decades my independent company has composed and produced original music and sound design for recording artists, advertising, television, radio, film, video games and websites. In addition I have years of experience doing extensive sound editing and engineering. The songs I’ve written and projects I’ve produced have topped Billboard charts and have been featured in films by Paramount, Lionsgate, Universal, Tri-Star and Disney.
My company also discovers, promotes and cultivates emerging young artists.

Composer, Producer, Engineer, Programmer and Editor for:
Paul McCartney
Madonna
Whitney Houston
Diana Ross
Elton John
Janet Jackson
Prince
Tina Turner
Paula Abdul
Mariah Carey

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Interview with Tony Shimkin

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: Dolly Spartans and Lynette Williams

  3. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  4. A: I am sure there are many, it depends on the client.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Do I have to choose? If Analog is available as a first step, then always! But digital gives you so much freedom to constantly revise and experiment.

  7. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  8. A: To do my best to help them realize their potential and vision. To challenge them. To employ whatever and whoever is necessary to make it happen.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: Every artist is different and presents a new challenge, it rarely if ever the same thing twice.

  11. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  12. A: Can it sound like (insert artist here)? my answer, yes it can but lets make it sound like you.

  13. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  14. A: What is your vision for your music, your goal, your influences and how do you want to honor all of these.

  15. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  16. A: Talk to me first, see if we connect and take it from there.

  17. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  18. A: Protools, Mic, Guitar, Bass, Drums

  19. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  20. A: Childhood bands 2, 4 and 8 track recording > Studio intern > Assistant engineer > Editor > Engineer > Producer/ Songwriter. Not to date myself, but over 30 years

  21. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  22. A: My work with Madonna, because it utilized all my skills (Writing, Producing, Mixing, Arranging, Editing, Programming....)

  23. Q: How would you describe your style?

  24. A: Always evolving.

  25. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  26. A: P!nk. Super talented, great singer, writer and works so well with every producer collaborator she's ever worked with.

  27. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  28. A: Nothing is wrong when it comes to recording or mixing, as long as it sounds like you and the artist want it to.

  29. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  30. A: I have such a love of all music but especially love great singer-songwriters.

  31. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  32. A: Experience

  33. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  34. A: A love of music first, all music no matter the genre. Find what makes the artist you are working with special and exploit that.

  35. Q: What's your typical work process?

  36. A: Get to know the Artist. Song/Artist FIRST! then it's all about Vocals, Instrumentation/Arrangement. Bring the vision of the Artist to life. Never be afraid to try, fail, try again until it's right.

  37. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  38. A: Very simple in the box Pro Tools rig with great analog mic pre, good mic selection and good monitors. I use my favorite outside studios for live drum tracking and larger sessions.

  39. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  40. A: So many to list, many are friends of mine. Dave Way, T Bone Burnett, Max Martin, Al Schmidt, Mutt Lange, George Martin to name only a few.

  41. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  42. A: Production, Recording, Mixing and Artist Development

  43. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  44. A: That it's easy

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